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Understanding Tango Enterprise
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Dynamic Web Applications
Tango Components
How Tango Processes a
Request
Platforms Supported
Cross Platform
Scalability
Database Support
Web Server Support
Integrating Tango with other
applications
Run-Only Query Documents
Variables
Security within Tango
Tango Enterprise
Tango is a leading-edge rapid
application development tool for creating interactive Web
applications for the corporate intranet and the Internet.
Tango's intuitive visual development environment means
developers can create innovative applications in record
time-without learning how to program in C++, Java or
Perl.
Dynamic
Web Applications
You want to improve communications both internally and to the world at large. It is no longer sufficient to simply present static pages of information. Your business needs call for business-critical applications. This is where Tango comes in. With Tango, you can quickly create applications that are integrated with your databases such as:
- personnel directories
- inventory management systems
- internal communication management systems
- online requisition forms
- online shopping systems
- product & pricing catalogs
- online conferencing & chat
- and much, much more
Creating advanced applications such as these used to require extensive programming in C++, PERL, HTML or CGI codes. Tango's visual development environment eliminates the need to program, allowing you to begin creating your solutions today.
Tango
Components
Tango is comprised of:
Tango Editor is the graphical tool you use to create dynamic web pages. It allows you to define actions that search, insert, update, and delete data, specify HTML for the display and entry of data, and guide how Tango interacts with DLLs, UNIX executbles and Apple Events.
The Tango Application Server makes the applications you create using Tango Editor available to users of your web server. Tango Application Server reads the query documents you create with Tango Editor, interfaces with databases, then composes the HTML used to display the information in the user's web browser. The resulting HTML is passed to the web server.
Understanding Tango Editor
The Tango Editor application creates query documents for
your web site. A query document is a series of actions that
allow a user to search, update and return information to and
from a database. When a query document is viewed with a web
browser it appears as a series of web pages with searchable
and/or updatable columns. Through these columns users query
the database. The purpose of Tango Editor is to allow you to
create any series of web pages which extend the
functionality of your databases for use on your Intranet and
the World Wide Web.
How
Tango Processes a
Request
Here is how Tango Server interacts with your web server:
- The user performs a query within a web browser.
- Tango Server receives a message from your web server via web server plug-in Tango CGI.
- Tango Server looks at the query document to determine how to respond to the message. If necessary, Tango Server communicates with the selected database server.
- The results of the database operation are returned to the Tango Server, which uses your query document to format a response in HTML format.
- The response is then sent to your web server and is viewed by the user in a web browser.
Platforms
Supported
The Tango Editor application can be used on:
- Windows NT 3.5.1 (or greater)
- Windows 95
- MacOS
The Tango Application Server can currently be deployed on web servers running on:
- Windows NT 3.5.1 (or greater),
- Macintosh,
- Solaris SPARC and
- SGI IRIX 6.2 or greater
- Releases will include AIX, HP/UX, Digital UNIX and others.
Cross Platform
Scalability
The applications you create using Tango are completely scalable across all platforms. You can develop your applications using Tango Editor on Windows NT, Windows 95 or Macintosh and deploy them on Windows NT, Macintosh, or UNIX web servers--without recompiling.
Database Support
Direct
Tango Enterprise connects directly to Oracle , FileMaker
Pro (Mac) and Butler SQL (Mac). Future releases will include
direct connectivity to Sybase, Informix and SQL Server.
ODBC
Tango Enterprise supports the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) standard. You can connect to your Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Sybase, SQL Server, MS Access databases using an ODBC driver.
Web Server
Support
Tango Enterprise integrates with all web servers that support the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) standard. Future releases will include support for Netscape's NSAPI and Microsoft's ISAPI interface.
Integrating Tango with other applications
Calling other applications is easy with Tango. You can integrate your existing applications with your Tango applications using DLLs (Dynamic Linked Libraries), UNIX executables and Apple Events.
Run-Only Query Documents
Consultant Developers will appreciate Tango's ability to create run-only query documents. Run-only query documents can be executed by the Tango Server, but cannot be opened by Tango Editor. You can now create and transport packaged Tango solutions, while protecting your investment in query document "coding".
Variables
One of Tango's greatest strengths is the ability to use variables, instead of fixed values, in almost any action parameter. There are variables for accessing many different pieces of information, such as form fields, search arguments and CGI parameters like the authorized user name of the person performing the query.
When a query document is called, Tango substitutes the variable references in each action with the actual values.
Additional Variables that Tango can use include:
- Client Name
- Client IP address
- Client Domain Name
- Client Browser
- Referrer Page URL
Security within Tango
Tango integrates with firewalls and standard security methods of your web servers, such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) while respecting your database access privileges. Server-side logic provides controlled access to your most critical information--you define your users' privileges and control navigation within the application. Database commands are not exposed to your users, preventing unauthorized access to your data.